Headlight aiming apparatus and display

摘要

An apparatus and method for aiming vehicle headlights and for visually displaying the illumination patterns of the headlights. A light beam is focused on a screen and the intensity of the light in each cell of a matrix of cells overlying the reflected light beam is sensed with an image sensor. An electrical signal is generated for each cell indicative of the intensity of the light beam in each cell. A computer compares at least some of the electrical signals to each other and with established criteria to determine whether the headlight is aimed within a prescribed degree of accuracy. The illumination pattern of a headlight is described by visually displaying at least some of the electrical signals i.e. the light intensities and their locations, on a display. The illumination pattern can be displayed as a series of isocandela lines, or can be displayed as a simulated headlight illumination pattern on a road surface. Exemplary objects can be included on the road surface at selected intervals to indicate relative distances. The headlight illumination pattern can be compared to a properly aimed, simulated headlight illumination pattern to indicate the necessary aiming correction. Digital and graphic indications of the relative deviations between the headlight illumination pattern and a properly aimed headlight illumination pattern are provided, as well as an aiming probe for centering the headlight relative to the lens.